A scholarship as stepping stone

Jennifer McNabb

Photo by Dan Marshall

From M, fall 2003

Having a scholarship as an undergraduate gave Jennifer McNabb (B.S. '03) a boost when she applied to medical school. McNabb's undergraduate experience, including her time spent characterizing proteins in a microbiology lab, was enhanced in no small part by College of Biological Sciences Alumni Society scholarships, which are funded through small and large gifts from alumni.

"It allowed me to not work while I was in school," she says. "I was able to focus on my studies and even take on extra activities such as the microbiology research project."

McNabb, who grew up in Burnsville, Minnesota, began medical school at the U of M this fall. She says she stayed at the U partly because it was affordable.

"Plus, I knew I would get a good education here," she adds.

Her undergraduate studies in biochemistry and her lab work served as stepping stones to admission to medical school, and McNabb hopes medical studies serve as a stepping stone to work in oncology.

"The scholarship helped me follow the path I wanted to take," McNabb says.